Celtic’s hopes of ending the season in the strongest way possible have been dealt an almighty blow.

The Bhoys went crashing out of the cup last weekend and they will now finish a season without a trophy for the first time in a decade.

What didn’t help last weekend was that James Forrest was ruled out of the clash.

Speaking in the build-up to the game John Kennedy revealed that they’d leave it late in terms of his fitness. However, he failed a late test and missed the defeat to Rangers.

Unfortunately, they will be without Forrest again on Wednesday when the Hoops face Aberdeen.

It would appear that the winger is still yet to recover from an injury problem but if there is one consolation, he should be back at the weekend.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, the interim manager commented: “Out with that, James Forrest will still be missing for this midweek, but will hopefully be fine afterwards.”

Celtic may not have anything to play for but after the dismal way in which they lost to their biggest rivals a few days ago, being without Forrest again is a bitter pill to swallow.

They can only lust after his goal-scoring antics and ability to create. Odsonne Edouard and Mo Elyounoussi missed golden chances to score last Sunday, opportunities which Forrest surely would have lapped up.

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He scored 16 times last season, providing 22 assists for his teammates in the process. With Forrest suffering from an injury since September, missing a player with that kind of record has clearly had a big say in the title race.

Forrest has already made a pretty big impact since coming back into the fray, scoring against Falkirk in the cup and against Livingston.

To have him absent from the squad again just about sums up their torrid campaign. Kennedy and the supporters must be cursing their luck.

He is such an imperative part of what Celtic have become in the last decade; they need him fit and firing as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Exciting twist emerges in Celtic manager hunt, Desmond could now perform a big U-turn...